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• Climate Change and Existing Law: A Survey of Legal Issues Past, Present, and Future [July 2, 2012]

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  "This report surveys 'existing' law for legal issues that have arisen, or may arise in the future, on account of climate change and government responses thereto. At the threshold of many climate-change-related lawsuits are two barriers--whether the plaintiff has standing to sue and whether the claim being made presents a political question. Both barriers have forced courts to apply amorphous standards in a new and complex context. Efforts to mitigate climate change--that is, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions--have spawned a host of legal issues. The Supreme Court resolved a big one in 2007--the Clean Air Act (CAA), it said, does authorize EPA to regulate GHG emissions. Quite recently, a host of issues raised by EPA's efforts to carry out that authority were resolved in the agency's favor by the D.C. Circuit. Another issue is whether EPA's 'endangerment finding' for GHG emissions from new motor vehicles will compel EPA to move against GHG emissions under other CAA authorities. Still other mitigation issues are (1) the role of the Endangered Species Act in addressing climate change; (2) how climate change must be considered under the National Environmental Policy Act; (3) liability and other questions raised by carbon capture and sequestration; (4) constitutional constraints on land use regulation and state actions against climate change; and (5) whether the public trust doctrine applies to the atmosphere."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Meltz, Robert

  2012-07-02
• Climate Change and Existing Law: A Survey of Legal Issues Past, Present, and Future [October 25, 2012]

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  "This report surveys 'existing' law for legal issues that have arisen, or may arise in the future, on account of climate change and government responses thereto. At the threshold of many climate-change-related lawsuits are two barriers--whether the plaintiff has standing to sue and whether the claim being made presents a political question. Both barriers have forced courts to apply amorphous standards in a new and complex context. Efforts to mitigate climate change--that is, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions--have spawned a host of legal issues. The Supreme Court resolved a big one in 2007--the Clean Air Act (CAA), it said, does authorize EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] to regulate GHG emissions. Quite recently, a host of issues raised by EPA's efforts to carry out that authority were resolved in the agency's favor by the D.C. Circuit. Another issue is whether EPA's 'endangerment finding' for GHG emissions from new motor vehicles will compel EPA to move against GHG emissions under other CAA authorities. Still other mitigation issues are (1) the role of the Endangered Species Act in addressing climate change; (2) how climate change must be considered under the National Environmental Policy Act; (3) liability and other questions raised by carbon capture and sequestration; (4) constitutional constraints on land use regulation and state actions against climate change; and (5) whether the public trust doctrine applies to the atmosphere."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Meltz, Robert

  2012-10-25
• Climate Change and Existing Law: A Survey of Legal Issues Past, Present, and Future [July 23, 2012]

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  "This report surveys 'existing' law for legal issues that have arisen, or may arise in the future, on account of climate change and government responses thereto. At the threshold of many climate-change-related lawsuits are two barriers--whether the plaintiff has standing to sue and whether the claim being made presents a political question. Both barriers have forced courts to apply amorphous standards in a new and complex context. Efforts to mitigate climate change--that is, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions--have spawned a host of legal issues. The Supreme Court resolved a big one in 2007--the Clean Air Act (CAA), it said, does authorize EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] to regulate GHG emissions. Quite recently, a host of issues raised by EPA's efforts to carry out that authority were resolved in the agency's favor by the D.C. Circuit. Another issue is whether EPA's 'endangerment finding' for GHG emissions from new motor vehicles will compel EPA to move against GHG emissions under other CAA authorities. Still other mitigation issues are (1) the role of the Endangered Species Act in addressing climate change; (2) how climate change must be considered under the National Environmental Policy Act; (3) liability and other questions raised by carbon capture and sequestration; (4) constitutional constraints on land use regulation and state actions against climate change; and (5) whether the public trust doctrine applies to the atmosphere."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Meltz, Robert

  2012-07-23
• Climate Change and Existing Law: A Survey of Legal Issues Past, Present, and Future [January 3, 2013]

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  "This report surveys 'existing' law for legal issues that have arisen, or may arise in the future, on account of climate change and government responses thereto. At the threshold of many climate-change-related lawsuits are two barriers--whether the plaintiff has standing to sue and whether the claim being made presents a political question. Both barriers have forced courts to apply amorphous standards in a new and complex context. Efforts to mitigate climate change--that is, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions--have spawned a host of legal issues. The Supreme Court resolved a big one in 2007: the Clean Air Act (CAA), it said, authorizes EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] to regulate GHG emissions. EPA's subsequent efforts to carry out that authority have been sustained by the D.C. Circuit. Another issue is whether EPA's 'endangerment finding' for GHG emissions from new motor vehicles will compel EPA to move against GHG emissions from other sources, and, if EPA does, whether the CAA authorizes capand- trade programs. Still other mitigation issues are (1) the role of the Endangered Species Act in addressing climate change; (2) how climate change must be considered under the National Environmental Policy Act; (3) liability and other questions raised by carbon capture and sequestration; (4) constitutional constraints on land use regulation and state actions against climate change; and (5) whether the public trust doctrine applies to the atmosphere."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Meltz, Robert

  2013-01-03
• Climate Change and Existing Law: A Survey of Legal Issues Past, Present, and Future [November 15, 2012]

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  "This report surveys 'existing' law for legal issues that have arisen, or may arise in the future, on account of climate change and government responses thereto. At the threshold of many climate-change-related lawsuits are two barriers--whether the plaintiff has standing to sue and whether the claim being made presents a political question. Both barriers have forced courts to apply amorphous standards in a new and complex context. Efforts to mitigate climate change--that is, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions--have spawned a host of legal issues. The Supreme Court resolved a big one in 2007--the Clean Air Act (CAA), it said, does authorize EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] to regulate GHG emissions. Quite recently, a host of issues raised by EPA's efforts to carry out that authority were resolved in the agency's favor by the D.C. Circuit. Another issue is whether EPA's 'endangerment finding' for GHG emissions from new motor vehicles will compel EPA to move against GHG emissions under other CAA authorities. Still other mitigation issues are (1) the role of the Endangered Species Act in addressing climate change; (2) how climate change must be considered under the National Environmental Policy Act; (3) liability and other questions raised by carbon capture and sequestration; (4) constitutional constraints on land use regulation and state actions against climate change; and (5) whether the public trust doctrine applies to the atmosphere."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Meltz, Robert

  2012-11-15
• Effects of Climate Change on Federal Hydropower: Report to Congress August 2013

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  From the Executive Summary: "As directed by Congress in Section 9505 of the SECURE Water Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in consultation with the federal Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) and other federal agencies, has prepared a comprehensive assessment examining the potential effects of climate change on water available for hydropower generation at federal facilities and on the marketing of that power. [...] The 9505 Assessment, [...] included: 1) a historical analysis of the sensitivity of federal hydropower operations to climate variables, 2) a climate modeling analysis that projected climate conditions and impacts to hydropower into the future, and 3) a literature review of other related climate studies for comparison to the 9505 modeling results. [...] The 9505 Assessment gives federal hydropower administrators the opportunity to plan their operational or contracting responses to these changes. Recommendations from the PMA administrators on how they can respond to the effects of climate change are included as part of this Report to Congress. The future assessments that are required every five years under Section 9505 can be improved by incorporating improved climate models and data that will become available soon, closer examination of extreme events and longer-term change in more detail, and addressing the interactions among hydropower and other water uses."

  United States. Department of Energy

  2013-08
• Approach for Assessing Human Health Vulnerability and Public Health Interventions to Adapt to Climate Change

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  "Assessments of the potential human health impacts of climate change are needed to inform the development of adaptation strategies, policies, and measures to lessen projected adverse impacts. For this paper, the authors developed methods for country-level assessments to help policy makers make evidence-based decisions to increase resilience to current and future climates, and to provide information for national communications to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The steps in an assessment should include the following: a) determine the scope of the assessment; b) describe the current distribution and burden of climate-sensitive health determinants and outcomes; c) identify and describe current strategies, policies, and measures designed to reduce the burden of climate-sensitive health determinants and outcomes; d) review the health implications of the potential impacts of climate variability and change in other sectors; e) estimate the future potential health impacts using scenarios of future changes in climate, socioeconomic, and other factors; f) synthesize the results; and g) identify additional adaptation policies and measures to reduce potential negative health impacts. Key issues for ensuring that an assessment is informative, timely, and useful include stakeholder involvement, an adequate management structure, and a communication strategy."

  National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

  2006-12
• Climate Change: USAID is Taking Steps to Increase Projects' Resilience, but Could Improve Reporting of Adaptation Funding, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "USAID [United States Agency for International Development] is the primary U.S. government agency helping countries adapt to the effects of climate change. USAID has provided this assistance through activities that directly address climate adaptation as well as indirectly through activities that received funding for other purposes, such as agriculture, but which also support climate adaptation goals. GAO was asked to review issues related to U.S. foreign assistance for climate adaptation. For USAID, this report examines (1) funding the agency provided for climate adaptation assistance in fiscal years 2014 through 2018, and (2) how climate risk management is implemented. GAO analyzed funding data and documentation of agency activities and climate risk management; interviewed agency and project officials; and conducted fieldwork in three countries receiving adaptation assistance--Guatemala, the Philippines, and Uganda. GAO selected these countries based on the amount of funding they received for climate adaptation activities, geographic diversity, and variety of observed and projected climate effects, among other factors."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2020-07
• Climate Change Indicators in the United States, 2014; Third Edition

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  "The Earth's climate is changing. Temperatures are rising, snow and rainfall patterns are shifting, and more extreme climate events--like heavy rainstorms and record high temperatures--are already taking place. Scientists are highly confident that many of these observed changes can be linked to the climbing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, which are caused by human activities. The climate change indicators in this report look at the composition of the atmosphere, fundamental measures of climate, and the extent to which several climate-sensitive aspects of the oceans, snow and ice, human health, society, and ecosystems are changing. Together, these indicators present compelling evidence that climate change is happening now in the United States and around the world."

  United States. Environmental Protection Agency

  2014
• Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Intermountain Region, Part 2

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  "The Intermountain Adaptation Partnership (IAP) identified climate change issues relevant to resource management on Federal lands in Nevada, Utah, southern Idaho, eastern California and western Wyoming, and developed solutions intended to minimize negative effects of climate change and facilitate transition of diverse ecosystems to a warmer climate. [...] The earliest and most profound effects of climate change are expected for water resources, the result of declining snowpacks causing higher peak winter streamflows, lower summer flows, and higher stream temperatures. These changes will in turn reduce fish habitat for cold-water fish species, negatively affect riparian vegetation and wildlife, damage roads and other infrastructure, and reduce reliable water supplies for communities. Increased frequency and magnitude of disturbances (drought, insect outbreaks, wildfire) will reduce the area of mature forest, affect wildlife populations (some positively, some negatively), damage infrastructure and cultural resources, degrade the quality of municipal water supplies, and reduce carbon sequestration. Climate change effects on recreation, a major economic driver in the IAP region, will be positive for warm-weather activities and negative for snow-based activities. IAP participants developed adaptation options that can be implemented in planning, project management, monitoring, and restoration as climate-smart responses to altered resource conditions."

  United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service; Rocky Mountain Research Station (Fort Collins, Colo.)

  Halofsky, Jessica E.; Peterson, David L.; Ho, Joanne J. . . .

  2018-04
• Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Intermountain Region, Part 1

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  "The Intermountain Adaptation Partnership (IAP) identified climate change issues relevant to resource management on Federal lands in Nevada, Utah, southern Idaho, eastern California, and western Wyoming, and developed solutions intended to minimize negative effects of climate change and facilitate transition of diverse ecosystems to a warmer climate. [...] The earliest and most profound effects of climate change are expected for water resources, the result of declining snowpacks causing higher peak winter streamflows, lower summer flows, and higher stream temperatures. These changes will in turn reduce fish habitat for cold-water fish species, negatively affect riparian vegetation and wildlife, damage roads and other infrastructure, and reduce reliable water supplies for communities. Increased frequency and magnitude of disturbances (drought, insect outbreaks, wildfire) will reduce the area of mature forest, affect wildlife populations (some positively, some negatively), damage infrastructure and cultural resources, degrade the quality of municipal water supplies, and reduce carbon sequestration. Climate change effects on recreation, a major economic driver in the IAP region, will be positive for warm-weather activities and negative for snow-based activities. IAP participants developed adaptation options that can be implemented in planning, project management, monitoring, and restoration as climate-smart responses to altered resource conditions."

  United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service; Rocky Mountain Research Station (Fort Collins, Colo.)

  Halofsky, Jessica E.; Peterson, David L.; Ho, Joanne J. . . .

  2018-04
• Climate Change Adaption: Strategic Federal Planning Could Help Officials Make More Informed Decisions, Report to the Chairman, Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, House of Representatives

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  "Changes in the climate attributable to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases may have significant impacts in the United States and the world. For example, climate change could threaten coastal areas with rising sea levels. Greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere will continue altering the climate system into the future, regardless of emissions control efforts. Therefore, adaptation -defined as adjustments to natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climate change -is an important part of the response to climate change. GAO was asked to examine (1) what actions federal, state, local, and international authorities are taking to adapt to a changing climate; (2) the challenges that federal, state, and local officials face in their efforts to adapt; and (3) actions that Congress and federal agencies could take to help address these challenges. We also discuss our prior work on similarly complex, interdisciplinary issues. This report is based on analysis of studies, site visits to areas pursuing adaptation efforts, and responses to a Web-based questionnaire sent to federal, state, and local officials."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2009-10
• S. Hrg. 112-975: Update on the Latest Climate Change Science and Local Adaptation Measures, Hearing Before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Second Session, August 1, 2012

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  This is the August 1, 2012 hearing in the 'Update on the Latest Climate Change Science and Local Adaptation Measures' held before the Committee on Environment and Public Works. From the opening statement from Barbara Boxer: "Colleagues, climate change is real. Human activities are the primary cause, and the warming planet poses a significant risk to people and the environment. I believe to declare otherwise is putting the American people in direct danger. The body of evidence is overwhelming. The world's leading scientists agree. And predictions of climate change impacts are coming true before our eyes. The purpose of this hearing is to share with the Committee the mountain of scientific evidence that has increased substantially over time, time that I believe we should have used to reduce carbon pollution, the main cause of climate change. In 2011 the National Academy of Sciences released the Final Climate Report. It concluded: 'Climate change is occurring. It is caused largely by human activities. It poses significant risks for a broad range of human and natural systems, and the preponderance of evidence points to human activities as the most likely cause for most of the global warming that has occurred over the last 50 years.'" Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Christopher B. Field, John R. Christy, James J. McCarthy, Jonathan Fieding , and Margo Thorning.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2017
• Climate Change: Considerations for Geographic Combatant Commands

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  "Climate change is a national security issue that all geographic combatant commanders (GCCs) must consider as a challenge, and in some cases, an opportunity as they continuously assess risks and update their theater campaign plans to gain advantage in achieving their desired end-states. Not only must GCCs assess climate change impacts to U.S. operations from specific risks to force-employment supporting infrastructure; but, they should also assess the opportunities that exist to further international partnerships by supporting and coordinating with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as it carries out specific development mandates within its Global Climate Change Initiative. By doing so, GCCs will follow CJCS [Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff] Dempsey's guidance by turning climate change risk into an 'opportunity' to leverage the 'right tools' to enhance relationships with 'the right partners.' This paper will focus on the risks and opportunities for action specific to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) as a 'case-study' useful for any GCC addressing Department of Defense's recent climate change adaptation guidance and for advancing the dialogue that took place during DoD's September 2014 Combatant Command Climate Security Information Exchange. "

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Kirk, Jason A.
• US Army Corps of Engineers, 2012 Climate Change Adaptation Plan and Report

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  From the Executive Summary: "The hydrologic and coastal processes underlying water resources management are very sensitive to changes in climate and weather. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has a compelling need to understand and adapt to climate change and variability because our Civil Works Program and associated water resources infrastructure represent a tremendous Federal investment that supports public safety and local and national economic growth. In response to growing body of evidence about climate impacts to our missions and operations, we published a foundational report with other water resources agencies: 'Climate Change and Water Resources Management: A Federal Perspective'. Since that time, we have developed a governance structure to support mainstreaming adaptation by establishing an overarching 'USACE Climate Change Adaptation Policy Statement' and a Climate Change Adaptation Steering Council."

  United States. Army. Corps of Engineers

  2012-06
• Marine Corps University Journal: Climate Change & Policy [Special Issue 2016]

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  The Spring 2015 edition of the 'Marine Corps University Journal' contains the following articles: "Climate Change and the Department of Defense: An Introduction" by Edward J. Erickson; "Richard Nixon, Barack Obama, and the Road to American Climate Change Policy" by J. Brooks Flippen; "Warmly Argued: A Brief Historical Look at Two Centuries of Climate Change Findings in Public Dialogue" by Michael Reis; "Tooth-to-Tail Greening: Energy and Climate Leadership and Policy Change at the Department of Defense" by Rebecca Pincus; "Impact of Climate Change on U.S. Military Operations in the Western Pacific" by Ralph Espach, David Zvijac, and Ronald Filadelfo; and "Examing Long-Term Climate-Related Security Risks through the Use of Gaming and Scenario Planning" by Catherine M. Schkoda, Shawna G. Cuan, and E. D. McGrady.

  Marine Corps University (U.S.). Press

  2016
• Climate Change: Current Issues and Policy Tools [March 6, 2009]

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  This CRS report discusses climate change. "On June 2, 2008, the Senate agreed to consider a bill (S. 3036) to control greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. In the 111th Congress, leadership in both chambers have announced their intentions to pass bills in 2009 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These actions are indicative of the pressures Members of Congress increasingly face on whether and how to address human-induced climate change. Contentious debates scrutinize issues of science, economics, values, geopolitics and a host of other concerns. Deliberations also weigh the appropriateness of alternative policy tools and program designs. [...]. For decision-makers considering actions to address climate change, an assortment of policy instruments is available; studies suggest that a combination could be most effective in achieving various climate policy objectives. Current policy attention has focused on 'cap and trade' strategies to reduce [green house gases (GHG)] emissions, with additional policy tools aimed at promoting the technology development considered necessary to slow climate change significantly. In parallel, growing attention is being given to supporting adaptations to expected future changes, as well as to strategies to gain effective international engagement in reducing GHG. [...]. Policy options can ease the adjustments required and modify the distribution of costs--or potential wealth embodied in distribution of emission allowances--across specific sectors or populations. A core challenge of policy design, then, is balancing the climate effectiveness of a policy, the economic costs, and its distributional effects."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Leggett, Jane A.

  2009-03-06
• Climate Change: Federal Laws and Policies Related to Greenhouse Gas Reductions [Updated January 28, 2008]

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  "Climate change is generally viewed as a global issue, but proposed responses generally require action at the national level. In 1992, the United States ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which called on industrialized countries to take the lead in reducing greenhouse gases. Over the past 15 years, a variety of voluntary and regulatory actions have been proposed or undertaken in the United States, including monitoring of utility carbon dioxide emissions, improved appliance efficiency, and incentives for developing renewable energy sources. In 2001, President George W. Bush rejected the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC, which called for legally binding commitments by developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. He also rejected the concept of mandatory emissions reductions. Since then, the Administration has focused U.S. climate change policy on voluntary initiatives to reduce the growth in greenhouse gas emissions. This focus is particularly evident in the Administration's 2006 Climate Action Report (CAR) submitted under the provisions of the UNFCCC. Of the roughly 50 programs summarized in the 2006 CAR, only seven are described as 'regulatory.' These regulatory programs were generally implemented to achieve energy or environmental goals other than the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, but produced a concomitant emissions reduction. In this sense, they could be considered the results of a 'no regrets'3 policy in which climate change effects resulting from related air quality and energy policies are included in the decision-making process on new or modified rules. This report provides background on the evolution of U.S. climate change policy from ratification of the UNFCCC to the George W. Bush Administration's rejection of the Kyoto Protocol programs, to the present. Current major regulatory programs that monitor or reduce greenhouse gas emissions are identified, along with their estimated effect on greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, energy legislation enacted in the 109th and 110th Congresses that could directly or indirectly reduce greenhouse gases is discussed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Yacobucci, Brent D.; Parker, Larry, 1954-

  2008-01-28
• Solving the Puzzle: Researching the Impacts of Climate Change Around the World

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  The National Science Foundation (NSF) has published this interdisciplinary research report on the impacts of climate change around the world. "Researchers funded by NSF have discovered signs of a changing climate in nearly every corner of the globe, from the icy expanses of Earth's polar regions to its equatorial ecosystems. Our planet's climate affects-and is affected by-the sky, land, ice, sea, life and the people found on it. To piece together the entire puzzle of climate change-what we know, what we still have to learn and what humankind can do to prepare for the future-we must study all of the physical, natural and human systems that contribute to and interact with Earth's climate system. As researchers piece together the climate puzzle, they are revolutionizing the way we understand the Earth system as a whole. Researchers have realized that they must reach across disciplinary boundaries to study questions that extend beyond any one field of science or engineering. In fact, because of the complexity of Earth's climate, this research involves contributions from nearly every field of science, math and engineering. In no area is NSF's contribution more important-or more influential-than in interdisciplinary research. NSF responds to the needs of research communities by supporting teams that include experts from multiple disciplines. NSF is unique among other government agencies with a science mission because NSF funds research, infrastructure and education across all disciplines of science and engineering."

  National Science Foundation (U.S.)

  2009
• Climate Change Risk Mitigation by U.S. Foreign Assistance Agencies [October 29, 2020]

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  From the Introduction: "Congress has demonstrated continued interest in how U.S. foreign assistance agencies address climate-related issues. To mitigate the risk of climate change for both internal agency operations and foreign assistance programming, Members have provided related funding and directives in regular Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations measures. [...] This report focuses on agencies' planning to reduce the risk of climate change for operations and programs; it does not include analysis of programming aimed at addressing developing countries' own climate risk. Specifically, this report discusses how the foreign assistance agencies--the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Peace Corps, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and the Development Finance Corporation--are addressing climate change in their respective internal operations and overseas work planning. The report also discusses key issues that may be of interest to Congress as it considers future funding for and oversight of these activities. These issues include options for congressional input, the relationship of climate risk to other priorities such as environmental degradation, and responsibilities for climate risk management within and among U.S. foreign assistance agencies."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brown, Nick M.; Morgenstern, Emily M.

  2020-10-29
• Effects of Climate Change on Federal Hydropower: The Second Report to Congress January 2017

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  From the Executive Summary: "The 'Effects of Climate Change on Federal Hydropower: The Second Report to Congress,' as directed by Section 9505 of the SECURE Water Act (SWA) of 2009, is the second quinquennial report summarizing the potential effects of climate change on water available for hydropower generation at 132 U.S. federal hydropower plants and on the marketing of that power. [...] The intent of this study was to evaluate the large-scale climate change effects on all federal hydropower plants within 18 PMA [Power Marketing Administration] study areas on annual and seasonal time scales, enabling policymakers to evaluate potential climate change impacts across the entire federal hydropower fleet. [...] Modeling projections of several hydrometeorological variables helped explain: (1) how fleet-wide hydropower may change in the future and (2) the impact on marketing Federal hydropower. The most important climate change effects impacting future hydropower generation are likely to be earlier snowmelt, change of runoff seasonality, and increasing frequency of extreme high- and low- runoff events."

  United States. Department of Energy

  2017-01
• Integrating Social and Behavior Change in Climate Change Adaptation: An Introductory Guide

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  From the Introduction: "The purpose of this guide is to strengthen USAID's [United States Agency for International Development] understanding of SBC [social and behavior change] concepts and how to put them into practice to address climate change risks through integrated programming. More broadly, this guide can be used by USAID's implementing partners and development practitioners interested in learning more about the potential application of SBC in climate change adaptation efforts, and likewise using this knowledge in programming."

  United States. Agency for International Development

  2019-05
• Our Changing Planet: The U.S. Climate Change Science Program for Fiscal Year 2007

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  "This document describes a wide range of new and emerging observational capabilities which, combined with the program's analytical work, are leading to remarkable advances in understanding the underlying processes responsible for climate variability and change. It illustrates advances in U.S. modeling capabilities to represent past, present, and potential future changes in the physical and biological dimensions of the Earth system. The report also highlights progress being made to explore the uses and limitations of evolving knowledge to manage risks and opportunities related to climate variability and change. The final chapter documents the program's numerous current activities to promote cooperation between the U.S. scientific community and its worldwide counterparts."

  Climate Change Science Program (U.S.); U.S. Global Change Research Program

  2006-11
• Reclamation: Managing Water in the West, Climate Change Adaptation Strategy

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  From the Executive Summary: "The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. The weather and streamflow patterns that framed the development of water and power systems across the West are changing (Figure 1). As a result, Reclamation's basic mission objectives are at risk, including the ability to deliver needed quantities of water and power to agricultural, tribal, municipal, and industrial water users and water for environmental flows. Climate change also poses a threat to Reclamation's infrastructure, and along with it, the ability to continue to support customers and maintain ecosystems affected by Reclamation projects. Reclamation's response to the changing climate is essential to the sustainability of communities across the Western states and the National economy. […] The goals identified in this Strategy tier from key elements of the President's Climate Action Plan for the Nation (President's Plan), which identifies the continued development of sound science, water management planning and conservation, and increasing the resiliency of infrastructure as critical actions to prepare the United States for the impacts of climate change. The President's Plan highlights the importance of taking action now to maintain agricultural sustainability, manage drought, prepare for future floods, reduce wildfire risks and other objectives that have always been and are critical to Reclamation's mission and customers. This Strategy is also aligned with the Department of the Interior's (Interior) Climate Adaptation Policy (523 DM 1), which calls on the Bureaus to incorporate climate adaptation into agency decision making across mission areas."

  United States. Bureau of Reclamation

  2014-11
• US Army Corps of Engineers, 2013 Climate Change Adaptation Plan

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  From the Executive Summary: "USACE [US Army Corps of Engineers] has established an overarching 'USACE Climate Change Adaptation Policy Statement' and a governance structure to support mainstreaming adaptation, with an 'Adaptation Steering Committee'. Our policy requires USACE to mainstream climate change adaptation in all activities to help enhance the resilience of our built and natural water-resource infrastructure and reduce its potential vulnerabilities to the effects of climate change and variability. USACE is mainstreaming climate adaptation through four strategies: with a focus on priority areas, we engage in external collaboration to improve our understanding of climate change impacts and vulnerabilities so that we can develop new policy and guidance to support adaptation implementation based on the best available and actionable science. This USACE 2013 Adaptation Plan, prepared at the direction of the Adaptation Steering Committee, presents information about our vision, goals, and strategic approaches; progress on priority areas; and information about how we plan, integrate, and evaluate adaptation. The plan will be updated annually and will be publicly available to our staff, partners and stakeholders. USACE tracks adaptation through annual metrics that address external collaboration, improving knowledge about climate impacts and adaptation, progress assessing vulnerability, and development of policy and guidance."

  United States. Army. Corps of Engineers

  2013-06
• Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in Southwest Washington

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  From the Abstract: "The Southwest Washington Adaptation Partnership (SWAP) was developed to identify climate change issues relevant for resource management in southwest Washington, specifically on Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This science-management partnership assessed the vulnerability of natural resources to climate change and developed adaptation options that minimize negative impacts of climate change on resources of concern and facilitate transition of diverse ecosystems to a warmer climate. The vulnerability assessment focuses on fish and aquatic habitat, vegetation, special habitats, recreation, and ecosystem services. Projected changes in climate and hydrology will have far-reaching effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, especially as frequency of extreme climatic events (drought, low snowpack) and ecological disturbances (flooding, wildfire, insect outbreaks) increases. Distribution and abundance of coldwater fish species are expected to decrease in response to higher water temperature, although effects will differ as a function of local habitat and competition with nonnative fish."

  United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service

  Hudec, Jessica L.; Halofsky, Jessica E.; Peterson, David L. . . .

  2019-10
• Side-by-Side Comparison of Climate Change Provisions in Omnibus Energy Legislation in the 110th Congress [Updated December 14, 2007]

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  "In the 110th Congress, the House and the Senate passed several different versions of omnibus energy legislation containing provisions to address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. The House originally passed H.R. 6 in January 2007. The Senate passed an amended version in June 2007. In August 2007, the House passed a new and broader-ranging omnibus energy bill, H.R. 3221. On December 6, 2007, the House substituted the Senate's text of H.R. 6 with an amendment containing many provisions from H.R. 3221 and some from Senate passed H.R. 6. On December 13, the Senate again passed an amended H.R. 6. This report compares climate-specific provisions in the various energy bills. The version of H.R. 6 passed by the Senate on December 13 was very similar to the version passed by the House on December 6, though without controversial provisions that would have reduced tax incentives for oil production. All the climate change-specific provisions covered in this report were identical in these versions. The House had already omitted in H.R. 6 most of the climate-specific provisions contained in H.R. 3221. Remaining in H.R. 6, as passed by both the House (12/6/2007) and Senate (12/13/2007) are: programs to develop carbon sequestration technologies; international programs to promote efficient and clean energy; and an Office of Climate Change and Environment in the Department of Transportation. This report compares provisions specifically directed at climate change in recently passed omnibus energy legislation, including H.R. 3221 as passed August 4, H.R. 6 as passed by the Senate on June 21, H.R. 6 as passed by the House on December 6, and H.R. 6 as passed by the Senate on December 13, 2007. Comments on provisions are included as appropriate."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Buck, Eugene H.; Leggett, Jane A.

  2007-12-14
• Climate Change Litigation Update: 'Children's Crusade' Case Against the United States Goes Forward [January 17, 2017]

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  "Recently, an Oregon federal district court judge denied the U.S. government's motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a group of 21 individuals, all age 20 or younger, and other plaintiffs seeking to compel the federal government to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The case, 'Juliana v. United States', is part of the so-called 'children's crusade' --a campaign of state and federal lawsuits and rulemaking petitions related to climate change coordinated by an Oregon nonprofit, Our Children's Trust, on behalf of American youth. While only a preliminary ruling, the 54-page opinion has prompted some media outlets to speculate whether the 'kids'' lawsuit may potentially force a change in the United States' policy toward climate change through litigation. Lawsuits implicating issues related to climate change are not a new phenomenon in the United States or internationally. Litigation in the United States (discussed in this report) has largely focused on addressing climate-related issues through existing federal environmental statutes, like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Clean Air Act. But efforts to address climate issues through common law (as opposed to statutory) claims have been largely unsuccessful. Mostly notably, in 'American Electric Power Co., Inc. v. Connecticut', the Supreme Court held that a group of plaintiffs could not rely on the federal common law of public nuisance to seek a decree setting greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards on the operators of fossil fuel-fired power plants because the Clean Air Act 'displaced' those claims. The 'Juliana' case, which focuses on duties that allegedly arise under the Constitution and the common law, may potentially indicate that at least some courts may be willing to consider climate-related claims outside the context of existing environmental statutes."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  2017-01-17
• Assessment of Watershed Vulnerability to Climate Change for the Uinta-Wasatch-cache and Ashley National Forests, Utah

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  "Watersheds on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache and Ashley National Forests provide many ecosystem services, and climate change poses a risk to these services. We developed a watershed vulnerability assessment to provide scientific information for land managers facing the challenge of managing these watersheds. Literature-based information and expert elicitation is used to define components of watershed sensitivity and exposure to climate change. We also define the capacity of watershed function, habitats, and biota to adapt to the expected changes. Watershed vulnerability is scored high for the Wasatch Mountain Range and moderate to high for the Uinta Mountains. These watersheds are driven by a snow-dominated hydrologic regime, and they have a high sensitivity to the projected increases in drought, heat, and flooding. More evaporation, snowpack loss, and earlier snowmelt are expected to shift the timing of runoff earlier and lower streamflow. The loss of snowpack is projected to be especially pronounced in the Wasatch Range. The effects from climate change can be compounded by the non-climate stressors of fire and land uses. Adaptation to these changes is enhanced when watersheds are in good functioning condition. Management actions can serve as an iterative process that builds resilience and can assist transitions to new states under a changing climate."

  United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service; Rocky Mountain Research Station (Fort Collins, Colo.)

  Rice, Janine R.; Bardsley, Tim; Gomben, Pete . . .

  2017-06
• Assessment of Aspen Ecosystem Vulnerability to Climate Change for the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache and Ashley National Forests, Utah

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  "Aspen ecosystems are valued because they add biodiversity and ecological value to the landscape. They provide rich and productive habitats and increase aesthetic value. Climate change poses the risk of altering and disrupting these ecosystems, and it may worsen the effects of non-climate stressors. To provide scientific information for land managers facing the challenge of helping aspen ecosystems adapt to climate change, we developed an aspen vulnerability assessment on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache and Ashley National Forests. Literature-based information and expert elicitation are used to define (a) components of sensitivity and exposure to climate change and (b) the capacity of these ecosystems to adapt to expected changes. Aspen ecosystems benefit from fire and quickly reproduce. Yet, aspen trees are susceptible to drought and heat that is projected to become more frequent and intense in the future. Some aspen-associated plant and animal species may benefit from the expected changes in disturbance regimes and stand structure, while others may experience population reductions or stress as a result of drought and heat. Overall, vulnerability is defined as moderate because although persistence of aspen ecosystems is likely, a dynamic spatial and temporal response to climate change is expected."

  United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service; Rocky Mountain Research Station (Fort Collins, Colo.)

  Rice, Janine R.; Bardsley, Tim; Gomben, Pete . . .

  2017-08